The 16th-century Madonna and Child painting, stolen from a museum in 1973 and then ending up in the hands of a woman in Norfolk, will be returned to its rightful owner.
After years of doubts and with the pro bono advice of an art lawyer, Barbara de Dozsa decided to hand over the painting to the Civic Museum of Belluno, where it was last seen in 1973.
De Dozsa had previously refused to return it, claiming that she had purchased it legally from her late husband, Baron de Dozsa, after the theft.
The painting, by Antonio Solario, was stolen in 1973 and disappeared until 2017, when De Dozsa attempted to sell it at auction and it was discovered by the Belluno museum.
Lawyer Christopher Marinello, who specializes in the recovery of stolen works, managed to convince De Dozsa to return the painting unconditionally.
The return of the work has been hailed as a restoration of the history and identity of the city of Belluno.
Main Image: Antonio Solario, Madonna and Child Courtesy Art Recovery International